Page 113 of Unclaimed Bonds

My father’s eyes widen. Wind billows her long white-blonde locks around her, and she begins to levitate.

“No.” Her voice echoes in the room. Her body rises, her power pushing harder against my father’s. We all fall to our knees, bowing our heads. The air crackles from their collective energy.

My father falls into his chair.

“If I must choose a mate, it will be on my terms. My. Choice.” The last word reverberates against the walls, layering her voice.

My father’s head lowers, but he doesn’t submit easily. “But you will mate.”

“Yes,” she concedes.

He nods, and at the same time, their powers retract. We all take a breath of relief. I slowly get to my feet, helping one of my brothers to stand.

Jessica’s feet touch the floor. The swirling wind dies. Regret crosses her features as she surveys the room. She steps back, shaking her head. Choking back a sob, she runs out the door.

I move to follow her. With every new situation, a new magic power emerges, and with each new power, she always freaks out, panicked that she will accidentally hurt someone.

“Luke, stop.” I brace myself on the frame of the door. “Let her be. She needs time to find her bearings,” my father says.

Anders approaches my father. “Are you okay?”

He waves him off, and they both laugh. Did I miss something? My brothers turn to each other, confusion etched in their faces. Glad to know I’m not the only one out of the joke.

Jeremy elbows Justin. “I think she broke them,” he mutters. Justin nods, eyes still wide as Anders and my father chuckle.

My mother wraps her arms around herself. “Did you have to push her so hard?” she asks.

My father sighs. “I know you didn’t like it, sweetheart. It was hard for me, too.” She curls into his lap, and he rests his head against hers.

Anders uprights a chair and drops into it, blowing out a long breath. Running his hand through his hair, he finally speaks. “She knocked you on your ass. I don’t know if I am proud as hell… or terrified.”

Jeremy grumbles, “I hate it when you three talk in code.”

Justin sits next to Jeremy. “What the hell is so funny?” Warily, I take the seat opposite everyone. My parents watch Anders, waiting for him to answer.

“I needed to test her,” my father admits. “We knew she was always a natural Alpha, but your mother felt there was more to Jessica than just inherited Alpha powers and white wolfmagic. To test that theory, I took advantage of her heightened emotional state.” He shakes his head, smirking. “But I didn’t expect that.” My mother mirrors his smile.

I clear my throat. “I don’t understand. What the hell did she do?”

“I told you. A mother knows her child,” my mother declares.

“I’m her fucking biological father, and I didn’t see that coming.” Anders runs a hand through his hair.

“Can you three please get to the damn point!” Justin bellows.

“Yeah, I’m not getting any younger here,” Jeremy chimes in.

“Only a true royal-blooded Alpha can challenge another royal-blooded Alpha, and a young one barely of age just knocked the Alpha King on his ass,” my mother answers proudly.

My head snaps up, and I make eye contact with my father. He smiles and nods.

“That doesn’t make sense. Jessica is adopted,” Jeremy mumbles.

“Think about it!” I snap. I watch him intently and wait for realization to strike.

The twins both bolt upright and, in unison, exclaim, “She’s the prophecy!”

“Alpha Agnus, Jessica’s biological great-grandmother, is of the original white wolf bloodline. This whole time, I thought she acquired her title from her mate, who passed away. This entire time, she was the true owner of Territory Seven. She was never just any white wolf species. She would have been the queen, if she hadn’t hidden her true identity,” I explain.